The Ipswich Chiefs beat the Hamilton Generals tonight 9-8 to clinch the regular season title and the top seed in the playoffs. The two teams will become familiar with each other as they will square off in the first round, Game 1 will be Sunday night in Ipswich (5:45pm start).The planets were all in line as Tom Jones got his first career pitching start, ever. Jones, who hasn't seen action on the mound since 1994 figured the long layoff would treat his arm well. The Chief's line-up proved otherwise. Zaremba led off the game with a deep HR to center. Tom Radzim added a 2RBI double later in the first. When all was said and done, four Chiefs came around to score. The Generals got one back in the first on a Bryan Vitale sacrifice fly that plated Mark Provost.
With the score now 5-1 Chiefs, the Generals pulled within one after a Jim Maloney 3-Run HR. Ipswich answered quickly in the third with a 3-run HR from Dave Shoreman. That closed the book on Jones who made way for Chris Judd. Over the next 3 innings the Generals were able to chip away at Workman and ended up tying the game at 8-8. Judd Funchion delivered a solo HR, & Tom Jones and Mark Provost delivered RBI hits. The later plated Tim O'Leary to tie the game.
In the sixth, with one out, Dave Shoreman was able to work a walk. He gave way to Stanley who came in to pinch run. A wild pickoff throw allowed him to advance to second. Chris Judd was then able to make a pick-off attempt to second. Stanley got caught off the bag but another wild throw, this time into center-field allowed Stanley to score all the way from second. The go ahead run stuck as the Generals failed to score for the first time all night in the bottom of the sixth. The game was then called due to darkness.Both starting pitchers did not figure in the decision. Doucette picked up the win for the Chiefs pitching 2, Chris Judd was charged with the loss. The win clinches the top spot for the Chiefs as the Rockport Townies lost to the Topsfield Tories tonight by forfeit. Hamilton will travel to Ipswich Sunday, and the Mariners will make the trek to Rockport Monday in first round playoff action.
